Lineal air diffuser bar

ABSTRACT

An air diffusing assembly for use in a suspended ceiling system employing a plurality of ceiling panels, comprising an inverted channel-shaped structure having means along the sidewalls thereof for supporting ceiling panels, the intermediate connecting portion of the channel structure having openings therein for the supply of air to the channel interior, and provided with means engageable with a supply duct for supplying air thereto, such assembly having an air diffuser member, of generally V-shape in transverse cross-section, disposed in the channel member with the side walls thereof downwardly converging, at least one of such sidewalls having openings therein for the passage of air therethrough, and a damper member cooperable with the air diffuser member and having a sidewall slidable along the inner face of the air diffuser member to selectively vary the effective size of the openings in said diffuser sidewall for controlling air flow therethrough.

United States Patent Balfanz, Jr.

[54] LINEAL AIR DIFFUSER BAR Glenn F. Ball'anz, Jr., Western Springs,111.

Chicago Metallic Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: May 13,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 36,946

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[52] [1.5. CI. ..98/40 D, 98/ 103 [51 lnt. Cl ..F24f 13/06 [58] Field ofSearch ..98/40 D, 40 DL, 13, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENT S 2,985,090 5/1961 Quin3,051,073 8/1962 Kennedy 98/40 DL 3,223,019 12/1965 Schuh ..93/40 D3,353,473 1 1/1967 Oneson et a]. ..98/4O D 1 May 30, 1972 PrimaryExaminerWilliam E. Wayner Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross &Simpson ABSTRACT An air diffusing assembly for use in a suspendedceiling system employing a plurality of ceiling panels, comprising aninverted channel-shaped structure having means along the sidewallsthereof for supporting ceiling panels, the intermediate connectingportion of the channel structure having openings therein for the supplyof air to the channel interior, and provided with means engageable witha supply duct for supplying air thereto, such assembly having an airdiffuser member, of generally V-shape in transverse cross-section,disposed in the channel member with the side walls thereof downwardlyconverging, at least one of such sidewalls having openings therein forthe passage of air therethrough, and a damper member cooperable with theair diffuser member and having a sidewall slidable along the inner faceof the air diffuser member to selectively vary the efiective size of theopenings in said diffuser sidewall for controlling air flowtherethrough.

18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ay/Zigg Patented May 30, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 30, 19723,665337 LINEAL AIR urn-uses an BACKGROUND-OF THE INVENTION Suspendedceiling structures employing a suitable suspension grid are usuallyconstructed from runners of generally inverted T-shape having avertically extending intermediate web portion, usually-terminatingalongits upper edge in a hollow bead and at its lower edgesin outwardlyextending aligned flanges adapted to support cooperable ceiling panels.

In many, if not most cases, a sizable air space exists above a thesuspended ceiling system which had no effective function and at bestprovided space for electrical lines, etc., as well as air ducts, anydischarge openings of which were usually in the form of individual grillstructures and the like.

More recently, systems have been devloped in which the panel supportingrunner structures also form more or less continuous air dischargeoutlets for a suitable air duct positioned directly above. It has beenascertained that by suitable design this type of system will provide arelatively uniform air.

delivery pattern over the full length of the discharge duct to provide amore effective-air delivery system than with previous arrangements suchas standard ducts, diffusers, pressurizedplenum systems and the like.

However, previous systems of this type haveinvolved relativelycomplicated design structures which become costly and at the same timemay require special installational procedures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to anair diffuser structure forming a part of the suspended ceiling grid,which is relatively simple in construction, capable of being fabricatedwith a minimum of separate pieces and at the same time provide a highlyefficient structure which includes damper meansfor varying the air flowthrough the structure.

In a preferred form of the invention the adjacent ceiling panels areadapted to be supported on a channel-shaped structure, which may beformed from a single strip of sheet material, and is adapted to receiveand'support adiffuser member which -may be removable, if desired, havingcooperable therewith a damper member movable relative-thereto to permitadjustment of the air flow through the structure. Likewise, thestructure may be provided with suitable air flow directionalcharacteristics and at thesame time provide an attractive structure thatwill readily and harmoniously blend with the usual runner structures.

In another preferred form of the invention, the channelshaped structuremay be constructed from two standard type runners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings where like referencecharacters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1, is a transverse cross-sectional view through an air diffuserstructure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the channel assembly illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3, is a perspective view of a portion of the diffuser memberillustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4, is a perspective view of the damper structure illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5, is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 of a modification of thestructure therein illustrated;

FIG. 6, is a bottom plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7, is a perspective view of the diffuser structure illustrated inFIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the damper structure illustrated in FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4,the embodiment of the invention therein illustrated comprises aninverted channelshapcd structure or. member designated generally by thereference numeral I, formed from a strip of sheet metal, bent to providea pair of channel sidewalls 2 connected at their upper edges by anintermediate wall 3, which has a plurality of spaced generallyrectangular-shaped openings 4 therein forming air inlets. The loweredges of the sidewalls 2 each terminate in oppositely directed outwardlydisposed flange portions 5, the free edges of which may be bent backupon themselves to provide respective edge beads 6, with the flangesadapted to receive and support the adjacent edges of respective ceilingpanels A, indicated in broken lines.

The channel member may be provided with a mounting structure 7 by meansof which the channel member may for example be secured to walls 8 of aduct structure, such walls in the example illustrated extendingdownwardly in converging directions with their lower edges seated inU-shaped portions 9 of the structure 7. In the embodiment illustrated,the supporting structure 7 is provided with outwardly divergingsidewalls ll-which are connected adjacent their lower edges by anintermediate portion 12 and integrally connected at their outer edgeswith the adjacent edge portion of the cooperable U-shaped portion 9. Theintermediate wall 12 of the mounting structure 7 is provided withopenings I3 of the same size and shape as the openings 4 and alignedtherewith, such openings being formed by cutting the stock forming thestructure along three sides of the opening and bending the materialalong the fourth side in an upward direction to provide respectivediffusing vanes 14. The channel member I and mounting structure 7 may besuitably secured together, as for example by a plurality of rivets 15extending through adjacent portions intermediate the respective-openings4 and 13 at spaced intervals along the structure.

Disposed within the channel member I is air diffusing member, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 16, having generally downwardly convergingsidewalls I7 terminating at their lower edges in outwardly extendingportions 18 which in turn are connected at their bottom edges by agenerally horizontally extending portion 19. The walls 17 are securedadjacent their upper edges to the channel structure I by suitable meanswhich, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises generally verticallyextending portions 21 integrally connected to the respective walls 17 attheir upper edges and formed with an inwardly directed corrugation 22forming a more or less V-shaped groove or channel adapted to receive acooperable inwardly directed bead 23 formed on each channel sidewall 2,with the free edge portions 24 extending angularly from the plane of thesidewalls 2 to provide camming means enabling the difi'using member tobe sprung into place as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Disposed within the diffusing member 16 is a damper member, indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 25, having upwardly divergingsidewalls 26 disposed to closely overlie the inner faces of therespective sidewalls 17 of the diffusing member and provided at theirlower ends with outwardly ofiset wall portions 27 connected to theassociated wall 26 by respective shoulder portions 28 with the loweredges of the portions 27 being connected by a horizontally extendingwall 29. As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. I the respectivewalls of the damper member are so proportioned that the shoulders 28will bear on the outwardly extending wall portions 18 and the bottomwall 29 disposed upon the inner face of the wall 19 of the air diffusingmember, whereby the damper member is effectively retained in theposition illustrated in FIG. I but may be moved longitudinally along theair diffusing member.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the respective walls 17 of theair diffusing member 16 are provided with a plurality of longitudinallyspaced openings 31 therein, such openings in the embodiment illustratedbeing disposed in both of the walls 17 in staggered relation, with theportions of the wall disposed between adjacent openings having a lengthapproximately equal to the length of an opening. As illustrated in FIG.4 the damper member 25 is provided with similar openings 32 in each wall26 of like size and spacing. Thus by relative movement of the dampermember with respect to the air diffusing member the openings in therespective members may be either aligned or partially or completelyclosed off by the intermediate portions of the walls between respectiveopenings. As will be apparent from a reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 theair diffusing member 16 may be provided with one or more slots 33 in thebottom wall 19 thereof adapted to register with corresponding openings34 in the bottom wall 29 of the damper member. Thus by insertion of asuitable tool or member, as for example a nail, through the slot 33 intoan opening 34 pressure may be exerted in a longitudinal direction on thedamper member to slide the same relative to the air diffusing member foreffecting an adjustment of air flow through the structure.

It will be noted, from a reference to FIG. 1, that the inclined wallportions 18 of the air diffusing member function as air deflectors todeflect the air laterally as well as downwardly, as generally indicatedby the broken lines.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, the openings 32 and 33 may bedisposed in only one sidewall of the air diffusing member 16 andadjacent wall 26 of the damper member 25, where discharge of air isdesired in only a single direction.

The construction illustrated in FIGS. through 8, while embodying an airdiffusing member and damper member of slightly different configurationthan that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, differs primarily in theconstruction of the channel structure 1, utilizing two runners 35 ofgenerally standard construction. Each of the runners illustratedcomprises an intermediate web portion 2', defining the sidewalls of thechannel structure, each of which terminates along its lower edge inoppositely disposed flange portions 5', the outermost flange of eachrunner corresponding to the flange portion 5 of the constructionillustrated in FIG. 1 and forming supporting means for a plurality ofsealing panels A, shown in broken lines, adapted to rest thereon. Eachrunner 35 is provided at the upper edge of its web portion with alongitudinally extending tubular bead portion 36 of generallyrectangular transverse cross-section having vertically extendingsidewalls 37 and a top wall 38.

The air diffusing member 16' in this construction, while of generallysimilar shape to that illustrated in FIG. 1, it is provided with ahorizontally extending intermediate wall 19' from which the sidewalls17' extend upwardly in diverging directions, terminating at their upperedges in horizontally extending portions 39 from which upwardlyextending portions 41 extend and in turn terminate at their upper edgesin outwardly disposed flange portions 42. In this construction thechannel-shaped structure is completed by the intermediate wall member 3which is provided at its outer edges with downwardly extending sidewallportions 2a, terminating at their lower edges in inwardly directedlongitudinally extending ribs or beads 43 of more or less V-shape intransverse crosssection, the lower edge portions of which divergeoutwardly and downwardly.

It will be appreciated that in this construction the bead portions 36effectively interlock the air diffusing member and the upper portion ofthe channel structure including the top intermediate wall 3 andsidewalls 2a with the air diffusing member 16', the upper flangeportions 42 of which are clamped between the top wall of the associatedbead 36 and the intermediate wall 3 with the corrugations or beads 43preventing undesired disengagement of the bead portions 36 of the runnerstructures 35 from the assembly.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in this construction the damper member 25 isprovided with a horizontal bottom wall 29 from which the sidewalls 26extend upwardly and outwardly in diverging directions and terminate attheir upper edges in vertically extending portions 44. The proportionsof the damper structure are selected that the diverging sidewalls 26'will nest on the cooperable sidewalls 17' of the air diffusing member,with the upper edges of the vertical portions 44 bearing on the lowersurface of the intermediate wall 3, and the bottom wall 29' of thedamper member being disposed closely adjacent to the bottom wall 19 ofthe air diffusing member. The intermediate wall 3 is provided withopenings 4, in the same manner as the channel member of FIG. 1, and theduct engaging structure 7 may be constructed identical with that ofFIGS. 1 and 2, and similarly mounted.

As in the initially described embodiment, the air diffusing member 16'and damper member 29' each may be provided with air openings 31 and 32-in one or both sidewalls thereof and the bottom walls 16 and 19 may beprovided respectively with one or more access openings 33' and toolengaging openings 34' to facilitate adjustment of the damper memberrelative to the air diffusing member.

The construction of FIG. 5 may be-readily assembled by disposing the airdiffusing member and damper member in cooperable relation with respectto the intermediate wall 3 and snapping each bead 36 of the associatedrunner 35 into interlocked positions as illustrated in FIG 5, springingthe beads or corrugations 43 outwardly to permit passage of theassociated bead 36 into interlocked position, the walls 2a havingsufficient resiliency to permit such insertion and following the samereturn to their original positions.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the presentinvention provides a relatively very simple construction utilizing, inthe construction illustrated in FIG. 1, apart from the mountingstructure 7, merely three component parts,

the channel member 1, air diffusing member 16 and damper member 29. Theconstruction illustrated in FIG. 5, while requiring two additionalpieces in the form of the runners 35 enables the utilization of standardrunners as a part of the structure, providing a continuity of appearancewith respect to the remainder of the sealing grid structure with whichthe invention is to be employed.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is completelycompatible with existing types of grid systems and does not require anyunusual or complicated installation techniques. Likewise, the basiccomponents may be readily fabricated utilizing the same general type ofequipment employed in connection with other sealing components resultingin a relatively inexpensive construction.

Having thus described my invention it will be obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention and hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form and arrangement of parts herein shownand described.

I claim as my invention:

1. An air diffusing assembly for use in a suspended ceiling systememploying a plurality of ceiling panels, comprising an invertedchannel-shaped structure constructed from a single sheet of materialhaving an intermediate wall and parallely extending sidewalls dependingtherefrom, said sidewalls terminating respectively in outwardlyextending flanges, disposed in a common plane for engagement withrespective ceiling panels, said intermediate wall of said channel havingopenings therein for the supply of air to the channel interior, meanscooperable with said channel-shaped structure for conducting air to saidopenings, an air difluser member of generally V- shape in transversecross-section, having a pair of downwardly directed converging sidewallsconnected at their respective upper edges to the channel structure, saidconverging sidewalls terminating in outwardly diverging wall portionsconnected at their bottom edges by an intermediate wall portion, saiddiverging wall portions each being spaced from the junction of thechannel walls and associated flanges to provide air passagestherebetween with said intermediate connecting portion being disposedbelow said flanges, at least one of said converging sidewalls havingopenings therein for the passage of air therethrough, and a dampermember disposed in the air diffuser member and having a sidewallslidable along the inner face of said air diffuser member instructed toselectively vary the effective size of the openings in the associateddiffuser sidewall for controlling air flow therethrough.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the edges of saidchannel-like member each are of U-shape in transverse cross-section toform a channel in which the edges of the adjacent walls of such an airduct may be disposed.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said channelshapedstructure and said air diffuser are provided with interlocking portionsoperated to retain the same in assembled relation.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said damper member isgenerally V-shape in transverse cross-section, having sidewallsoverlying and slidable on the inner faces of the sidewalls of said airdifi'user member, the walls of said damper member having offsets thereinadjacent their lower edges engageable with said outwardly divergingportions and connected by an intermediate portion bearing on theintermediate portion of said air diffuser member.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.

7. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said intermediate portionof the air diffuser member is provided with access openings therein topermit access to said damper member for adjusting the same.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said intermediate portionof the damper members is provided with an opening therein adapted toalign with the opening in said air diffuser member for receiving anadjusting member.

9. An air diffusing runner assembly for assembly in a suspended ceilingsystem employing a plurality of ceiling panels supported by a suspendedgrid structure formed by a plurality of suitably connected runners ofgenerally inverted T-shape in transverse cross-section, providingoppositely directed aligned flanges upon which peripheral edge portionsof such ceiling panels are adapted to rest, comprising an invertedchannel-shaped structure constructed from a single sheet of materialhaving an intermediate wall and parallely extending sidewalls dependingtherefrom, said sidewalls terminating respectively in outwardlyextending flanges, disposed in a common plane for engagement withrespective ceiling panels, said flanges having a transverse widthsubstantially equal to that of the respective runner flanges and adaptedto present a corresponding appearance, said sidewalls each having avertical height substantially equal to the corresponding height of therunners of the grid structure in which it is to be assembled and form apart thereof, the intermediate connecting portion of said channel havingopenings therein for supply of air to the channel interior, meanscooperable with said channel-shaped structure for conducting air to saidopenings, an air diffuser member of generally V-shape in transversecross-section, having a pair of downwardly directed converging sidewallsconnected at their respective upper edges to the channel structure, atleast one of said converging sidewalls having openings therein for thepassage of air therethrough, and a damper member of generally V-shape intransverse cross-section disposed in the air diffuser member and havingrespective sidewalls slidable along the inner faces of the adjacentwalls of said air diffuser member, at least one of which is constructedto selectively vary the effective size of openings in the associateddiffuser sidewall for controlling air therethrough.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said channel-shapedstructure, the free edges of said channel-like member being constructedfor engagement with respective walls of an air duct.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the edges of saidchannel-like member each are of U-shape in transverse cross-section toform a channel in which the edges of the adjacent walls of such an airduct may be disposed.

12. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said channel-shapedstructure comprises a pair of spaced runner members each having anintermediate web forming the sidewalls of said channel-shaped structureand each provided at its lower edge with said outwardly extendingflange, each of said webs being provided at its upper edge with alongitudinally extending bead, and a horizontally disposed memberconnecting said beads and forming the intermediate portion of saidchannel member, said horizontally disposed member having downwardlydepending sidewall portions constructed to engage said beads forpreventing downward movement of said runners relative to said connectingmember, said air diffuser member having its upper edge portions eachdisposed on the top of the adjacent runner bead and having the adjacentwall of the diffuser disposed in engagement with the sidewall of theadjacent runner bead for preventing disengagement of such bead from thebead engaging portions of said horizontally extending member.

13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said damper members areconstructed with upper edge portions disposed adjacent the horizontallydisposed connecting member, operative to prevent relative separatingmovement between said damper and diffuser members.

14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein said damper member isgenerally V-shape in transverse cross-section having sidewalls overlyingand slidable on the interface of the sidewalls of the diffuser member,the diffuser and damper member having respective cooperable intermediateportions at their lower converging edges, said intermediate portion ofthe diffuser member being so positioned with respect to the plane ofsaid runner flanges that an air passage is provided between the junctionof such intermediate portion with each sidewall of the diffuser memberand a free edge of the adjacent runner.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said runners are eachprovided at the lower edge of the web portion with oppositely disclosedflange portions, all aligned in a common plane, with the intermediateportion of the diffuser member being spaced above such plane, whereinsaid air passages are each defined by the juncture of said intermediateand sidewall portions of the diffuser member and the edge of theadjacent runner flange.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein said intermediate portionof the air difiuser member is provided with access openings therein topermit access to said damper member for adjusting the same.

18. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein said intermediate portionof the damper members is provided with an opening therein adapted toalign with the opening in said air diffuser member for receiving anadjusting member.

1. An air diffusing assembly for use in a suspended ceiling systememploying a plurality of ceiling panels, comprising an invertedchannel-shaped structure constructed from a single sheet of materialhaving an intermediate wall and parallely extending sidewalls dependingtherefrom, said sidewalls terminating respectively in outwardlyextending flanges, disposed in a common plane for engagement withrespective ceiling panels, said intermediate wall of said channel havingopenings therein for the supply of air to the channel interior, meanscooperable with said channel-shaped structure for conducting air to saidopenings, an air diffuser member of generally V-shape in transversecrosssection, having a pair of downwardly directed converging sidewallsconnected at their respective upper edges to the channel structure, saidconverging sidewalls terminating in outwardly diverging wall portionsconnected at their bottom edges by an intermediate wall portion, saiddiverging wall portions each being spaced from the junction of thechannel walls and associated flanges to provide air passagestherebetween with said intermediate connecting portion being disposedbelow said flanges, at least one of said converging sidewalls havingopenings therein for the passage of air therethrough, and a dampermember disposed in the air diffuser member and having a sidewallslidable along the inner face of said air diffuser member instructed toselectively vary the effective size of the openings in the associateddiffuser sidewall for controlling air flow therethrough.
 2. An assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said air conducting means comprises achannel-like member having an intermediate portion secured to theconnecting portion of said channel structure and having openings thereincommunicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, the freeedges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagement withrespective walls of an air duct.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2,wherein the edges of said channel-like member each are of U-shape intransverse cross-section to form a channel in which the edges of theadjacent walls of such an air duct may be disposed.
 4. An assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said channel-shaped structure and said airdiffuser are provided with interlocking portions operated to retain thesame in assembled relation.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid damper member is generally V-shape in transverse cross-section,having sidewalls overlying and slidable on the inner faces of thesidewalls of said air diffuser member, the walls of said damper memberhaving offsets therein adjacent their lower edges engageable with saidoutwardly diverging portions and connected by an intermediate portionbearing on the intermediate portion of said air diffuser member.
 6. Anassembly according to claim 5, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.
 7. An assembly according to claim5, wherein said intermediate portion of the air diffuser member isprovided with access openings therein to permit access to said dampermember for adjusting the same.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7,wherein said intermediate portion of the damper members is provided withan opening therein adapted to align with the opening in said airdiffuser member for receiving an adjusting member.
 9. An air diffusingrunner assembly for assembly in a suSpended ceiling system employing aplurality of ceiling panels supported by a suspended grid structureformed by a plurality of suitably connected runners of generallyinverted T-shape in transverse cross-section, providing oppositelydirected aligned flanges upon which peripheral edge portions of suchceiling panels are adapted to rest, comprising an invertedchannel-shaped structure constructed from a single sheet of materialhaving an intermediate wall and parallely extending sidewalls dependingtherefrom, said sidewalls terminating respectively in outwardlyextending flanges, disposed in a common plane for engagement withrespective ceiling panels, said flanges having a transverse widthsubstantially equal to that of the respective runner flanges and adaptedto present a corresponding appearance, said sidewalls each having avertical height substantially equal to the corresponding height of therunners of the grid structure in which it is to be assembled and form apart thereof, the intermediate connecting portion of said channel havingopenings therein for supply of air to the channel interior, meanscooperable with said channel-shaped structure for conducting air to saidopenings, an air diffuser member of generally V-shape in transversecross-section, having a pair of downwardly directed converging sidewallsconnected at their respective upper edges to the channel structure, atleast one of said converging sidewalls having openings therein for thepassage of air therethrough, and a damper member of generally V-shape intransverse cross-section disposed in the air diffuser member and havingrespective sidewalls slidable along the inner faces of the adjacentwalls of said air diffuser member, at least one of which is constructedto selectively vary the effective size of openings in the associateddiffuser sidewall for controlling air therethrough.
 10. An assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein said air conducting means comprises achannel-like member having an intermediate portion secured to theconnecting portion of said channel structure and having openings thereincommunicating with the openings in said channel-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.
 11. An assembly according to claim10, wherein the edges of said channel-like member each are of U-shape intransverse cross-section to form a channel in which the edges of theadjacent walls of such an air duct may be disposed.
 12. An assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein said channel-shaped structure comprises apair of spaced runner members each having an intermediate web formingthe sidewalls of said channel-shaped structure and each provided at itslower edge with said outwardly extending flange, each of said webs beingprovided at its upper edge with a longitudinally extending bead, and ahorizontally disposed member connecting said beads and forming theintermediate portion of said channel member, said horizontally disposedmember having downwardly depending sidewall portions constructed toengage said beads for preventing downward movement of said runnersrelative to said connecting member, said air diffuser member having itsupper edge portions each disposed on the top of the adjacent runner beadand having the adjacent wall of the diffuser disposed in engagement withthe sidewall of the adjacent runner bead for preventing disengagement ofsuch bead from the bead engaging portions of said horizontally extendingmember.
 13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said dampermembers are constructed with upper edge portions disposed adjacent thehorizontally disposed connecting member, operative to prevent relativeseparating movement between said damper and diffuser members.
 14. Anassembly according to claim 13, wherein said damper member is generallyV-shape in transverse cross-section having sidewalls overlying andslidable on the interface of the sidewalls of the diffuser member, thediffuseR and damper member having respective cooperable intermediateportions at their lower converging edges, said intermediate portion ofthe diffuser member being so positioned with respect to the plane ofsaid runner flanges that an air passage is provided between the junctionof such intermediate portion with each sidewall of the diffuser memberand a free edge of the adjacent runner.
 15. An assembly according toclaim 14, wherein said runners are each provided at the lower edge ofthe web portion with oppositely disclosed flange portions, all alignedin a common plane, with the intermediate portion of the diffuser memberbeing spaced above such plane, wherein said air passages are eachdefined by the juncture of said intermediate and sidewall portions ofthe diffuser member and the edge of the adjacent runner flange.
 16. Anassembly according to claim 15, wherein said air conducting meanscomprises a channel-like member having an intermediate portion securedto the connecting portion of said channel structure and having openingstherein communicating with the openings in said U-shaped structure, thefree edges of said channel-like member being constructed for engagementwith respective walls of an air duct.
 17. An assembly according to claim16, wherein said intermediate portion of the air diffuser member isprovided with access openings therein to permit access to said dampermember for adjusting the same.
 18. An assembly according to claim 17,wherein said intermediate portion of the damper members is provided withan opening therein adapted to align with the opening in said airdiffuser member for receiving an adjusting member.